Friday, 1 April 2016 - Monthly Climate Summary for Northern Territory - Product code IDCKGC12R0

Northern Territory in March 2016: Wet in the south, dry in the north. Hot throughout.

Temperatures were well above average at nearly all locations, particularly overnight temperatures which exceeded monthly records at many locations. While significant rainfall was observed south of the Northern Territory's Top End, particularly along the eastern border, rainfall was generally well below average over the Top End.

• Many sites throughout the NT had their record high monthly minimum temperature
• Many sites, mostly in the Top End, had their record high monthly maximum temperature
• Many sites throughout the NT had their record high monthly mean temperature
• Rainfall totals south of the Top End were generally above average
• Rainfall over the Top End was generally below average - some sites in the Top End had their lowest March rainfall total for at least 20 years

The southern half of the Territory generally received above average rainfall totals during March. In contrast, most of the northern half had average to below average rainfall. Northern and northwestern parts of the Top End had particularly low rainfall - significantly below average, with some locations having their lowest March rainfall for more than 20 years. Territory-wide, rainfall was 17% below the long-term average for March. During the first week of the month rainfall was generally patchy and relatively light over the Territory. Between the 9^th and 12^th a series of active surface troughs developed over the northeast Top End and near the Queensland border, generating significant rainfall totals for much of the NT, particularly eastern parts of the Territory. A weak monsoon trough then developed over the eastern Top End in the middle of the month generating further good rainfall totals across much of the Top End and Carpentaria region. During the time the monsoon trough was active a tropical low developed in the Gulf of Carpentaria, but was not over water long enough to develop to tropical cyclone intensity. After the monsoon trough retreated from the NT region, rainfall eased and was below average in all districts for the remainder of March.

Temperatures throughout the Northern Territory were significantly above average during March. Maximum temperatures were above average everywhere apart from two small regions south of the Top End. Over most parts, including the entire Top End, maximum temperatures were very much above average. Extreme heat affected parts of the Territory in early March, including 2 March when the Territory-wide average maximum temperature was the highest ever recorded in March. Most regions south of the Top End had a string of consecutive days greater than 40 °C, most notably Walungurru (Kintore) which broke the Territory's March temperature record twice in three days: on the 1^st and 3^rd, with 44.3 °C and 44.4 °C, respectively. (See Special Climate Statement for more information relating to the March heatwave.) Territory-wide, the monthly maximum tempertaure during March was 2.07 °C above the long-term average and the 10^th highest on record. Apart from a small area along the Queensland border, where above average rainfall was recorded, minimum temperatures were above average, with the vast majority of the Territory significantly above average. A large proportion of the NT had their highest monthly minimum temperatures on record. Territory-wide, the monthly minimum temperature was 1.80 °C above average, the highest ever recorded during March. The March mean temperature was the 4^th highest on record at 1.94 °C above average. Many individual sites set temperature records during the month - for highest daytime maximum, highest overnight, and highest mean temperatures.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top